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Tax Holiday on Emergency Preparedness Supplies?

In this season of severe weather, the Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is raising awareness of the Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday, April 23-25. Now is the time to stock up on all your disaster supplies and save in the process. You can find the information below at

http://comptroller.texas.gov/taxinfo/taxpubs/ tx98_1017.html.

You can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free during the 2016 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to issue an exemption certificate to claim the exemption. This year’s holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 25.

These emergency preparation supplies qualify for tax exemption if purchased for a price:

Portable self-powered radios, including two-way and weather band radios

Reusable and artificial ice products

Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors

Tarps and other plastic sheeting

These supplies do not qualify for tax exemption:

Batteries for automobiles, boats and other motorized vehicles

Camping stoves

Camping supplies

Chainsaws

Plywood

Extension ladders

Stepladders

Tents

Repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies

Services performed on, or related to, emergency preparation supplies

Additional Charges Affect Purchase Price Delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are part of the sales price. If the emergency preparation supply being purchased is taxable, the delivery charge is also taxable. Consider these charges when determining whether an emergency preparation supply can be purchased tax free during the holiday.

For example, you purchase a rescue ladder for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, for a total sales price of $309. Because the total sales price of the ladder is more than $300, tax is due on the $309 sales price.

For more information, contact us at comptroller.texas.gov/taxhelp, or call 1-800-252-5555. Pub. 98-1017 March 2016

Preparedness Cliche'? By: Jennifer Davis

With the establishment of FEMA and their preparedness initiatives, we have easy access to a lot of information we need to assist in preparation for potential disasters at the individual, local and national levels. However, results of a 2013 SUNYIT/Zogby Analytics Poll show only 36% of the respondents indicated that they have an emergency plan in place . In a survey done by FEMA in 2015, the results (1) show the same trend, that only 40% are prepared . With all the readily available information on the (2) process, why is our culture holding steady at a low level of preparedness?

Is it because we’re accustomed to the government stepping in? Is it because we just don’t know how or where to start? Maybe it’s on our ‘To-Do’ list among many things that are assigned a higher priority. Perhaps the words ‘preparedness’ and ‘disaster readiness’ have been thrown around so much they’ve become cliche’ and just don’t mean enough to cause people to take action. It could be a mixture of all of these things.

Regardless of our perception or priority of preparing in advance for possible emergencies, the importance of the process remains critical. Not only are there monetary advantages of having a plan, but the positive impact on post-disaster well-being is significant.

Response time matters. At an individual level, if a family is prepared in advance for a water leak, for example, quickly turning the water supply off will reduce the area effected. This lowers the cost of clean up and potentially the time it takes to get things back to normal. The steps to teach able bodied members of the home how to do this is minimal and the benefits are well worth the time.

State of mind matters. Having a practiced plan in place significantly reduces stress at any level of crisis. This also becomes very important when kids are involved; when they see others handle emergencies with a rational state of mind it will put them at ease. When children are included in the planning process they feel more empowered and know better how to handle the situation rather than sit there and feel helpless. This applies to adults as well. During a crisis, most people experience anxiety which impedes clear, logical thinking and can lead to mental shutdown depending on the severity of the situation. With written plans to reference or the plan has been practiced enough, the process becomes methodical and limits the required critical thinking necessary to get through the initial moments after a crisis. Without the pressure of guessing what to do, anxiety is reduced, allowing one to more calmly take steps to handle the crisis.

Recovery matters. Steps taken in advance of a disaster can improve the recovery process and make it less difficult. Medications, for example, should be a part of anyone’s plan who requires them daily. Having an extra month’s supply on hand can reduce the chance of severe illness or death resulting from not being able to take the daily regimen.

These are just a few reasons why taking time in advance to think things through and draw up plans can prove to be so beneficial. The decision to prioritize the task is the first step and from there, taking more small steps goes a long way. For more information about how to start, see the Red Cross and